Transportable and removable pouch for containing orthodontic aligners

Abstract

An expandable and collapsible pouch for accommodating an orthodontic appliance while not is use. The pouch may be selectively and repeatedly coupled to a variety of objects. After selectively coupling the pouch to a desired object, the user opens the pouch by expanding at least one collapsible wall or side. The user then removes their orthodontic appliance, inserts it into the open pouch, and then closes the pouch by letting the pouch contract. When the orthodontic appliance is needed again, the user removes the appliance from the pouch and lets the pouch contract into its original position flush against the surface of the object. The pouch is coupled to the object via a magnet disposed within the pouch that is configured to interact with the surface of the object. The pouch also includes a second magnet which assists the pouch maintain a closed position while an appliance is inserted therein.

We claim: 
     
       1. An apparatus for accommodating at least one orthodontic appliance when not in use, the apparatus comprising:
 a front panel; 
 a back panel; 
 at least one collapsible side coupled to the front panel and the back panel; and 
 means for removably coupling the apparatus to an object, 
 wherein the at least one collapsible side is configured to change a relative size of an opening disposed between the front panel and the back panel when the front panel is moved relative to the back panel, and 
 wherein the at least one collapsible side comprises a material configured to provide a spring force when the front panel is moved relative to the back panel. 
 
     
     
       2. The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a collapsible bottom coupled to the front panel, the back panel, and the at least one lateral collapsible side. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the at least one lateral collapsible side or the collapsible bottom comprises at least one pleat. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of  claim 1  where the means for removably coupling the apparatus to the object comprises a magnet disposed within the back panel, wherein the magnet is configured to interact with a surface of the object. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of  claim 1  where the means for removably coupling the apparatus to the object comprises a ring coupled to the back panel of the apparatus, the ring being configured to accommodate at least a portion of the object there through. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a base, wherein the base comprises means for removably coupling the base to a surface of the object and means for removably coupling the base to the back panel. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the front panel and the back panel each comprise a shape which matches a shape of the orthodontic appliance. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising:
 an opening defined between the front panel and the back panel; and 
 means for selectively closing the opening defined between the front panel and the back panel. 
 
     
     
       9. The apparatus of  claim 8  where the means for selectively closing the opening defined between the front panel and the back panel comprises a magnet disposed within the front panel. 
     
     
       10. The apparatus of  claim 8  where the means for selectively closing the opening defined between the front panel and the back panel is configured to engage with the means for removably coupling the apparatus to the object.